It’s standardized testing season. And I have a perfectionist child. He wants to get everything right – the first time – without exception.

He finishes his practice test and discovers after checking his work, that he got several answers wrong relating to interdependence, cooperation, and wants vs needs. Initially, he was crushed, and came to me about it. Instead of immediately agreeing with his answers being incorrect according to the answer guide, I asked him to explain the answers he selected. I was taken aback. And thrilled. He’s an outside-the-box thinker. He doesn’t just accept the answer at face value. He thinks, reasons and examines. And I don’t want to change that about him for anything in the world.

I love my little homeschool family. I love my creative thinkers. I’m ecstatic that he understands the answer that may be desired on the test and why, but can still defend his thoughts. It’s an amazing feeling to see his young mind at work.

He doesn’t just accept an answer at face value. Indeed, I’m raising individuals. And I love it.

Overwhelmed. Yep, that best describes where I was. Three decisions – major ones – and I was at a loss for each. While none were life or death, each could either be a blessing or a hindrance, depending on my choices. No pressure, though. Lol.

So I did what I always do. I prayed. I asked God for His wisdom and revelation for each decision. Then I waited. Now I was active in my waiting – gathering information, getting sage advice, even making my infamous pros/cons lists (yes, they really work). I started to have some clarity, but thinking the answers couldn’t be right, I just kept praying. Then God made it abundantly clear what I was supposed to do. Problem is, I thought He got it wrong.

See, just because He knows my end from my beginning, loves me more than I can imagine, sees and knows things I can’t even fathom, doesn’t mean every answer He gives is correct. Just because I can look back on countless times that I’ve heeded His wisdom and been so thankful for it, doesn’t mean He’s correct. Just because I have faith and trust in God and His direction doesn’t mean He’s correct. Especially if it doesn’t line up the way I think it should …. Or does it?

And there lies my answer. I can’t name a time when I’ve truly heard from God, and honored the instructions, that He’s steered me wrong. Not a single time. In fact, the less sense it seems to make to my head, the more faith it requires to follow God, and it seems the better the results. So in spite of myself and my head, I’m going to follow the One with the answers and wisdom I need and seek.